AR's - essential or not?

[joemo]

We’re off to the Poly in April (first two weeks – Easter!), we love to eat at Disney restaurants as often as possible, but I’m a bit worried about Advance Reservations.

Having studied the boards lately, a lot of folk seem to be saying that you need to book EVERYTHING in advance before you go. Now I think an entire two weeks of pre-planning is a bit much, so I was just going to do The California Grill, the Poly character breakfast and maybe the French Bistro in Epcot before we leave, as these are the ones we really don't want to miss.

When we went last year we did everything on the day and that seemed to work all right – have things changed that much?

Does anyone think its essential to book everything beforehand, or will we be OK with same day reservations when we know what we’re actually going to be doing? We're fairly flexible with times (any time after 8pm) and don't mind if our first choice is unavailable as long as we get some where nice. We usually spend the days in the parks/pool and the night's in Epcot, unless there are EMH, then we'll eat in that park.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated, thanks.

 

[magicmommy]

I would make ADR's for the places you have on your must do list. TS dinner is hard to get without ADR's. You can always cancel that day if it does not fit into your plan either at WDW-DINE or by walking up to any TS restaurant. By doing this you at least have a ressie. Though I've never been in April I would guess it will be very busy. Have a great trip!

 

[joemo]

Well last Easter we managed to get the California Grill and Chef Mickey’s for the second week of our holiday, and everything else the day before.

Thanks for your thoughts magicmommy, I think I'll just stick to our three planned ARs and be flexible for everywhere else.

Think I might do the Fantasmic Dinner Package too......love Mama Melrose.

 

[Schachteles]

I would definitely call and try to get ressies for the ones that you really want...I know we are going at the end of April and there were quite a few times filled when I called about 6 weeks ago.

GOOD LUCK and enjoy!

 

[thelionqueen]

While you may get lucky and get a ressie while there, you should really get them before if at all possible.

I think you will be surprised at how much ADR's have changed. If you like to do TS meals, you really need a reservation. On our last trip,every restaurant we went to was packed and turning away people. This happened at all hours and practically all restaurants. Just My .02

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I agree, make the reservations that are REALLY important to you, and you should be okay, even if you can't get into the restaurants you like when you like for the rest of the time. Some of us are a little food-obsessed (me!) or planning-obsessed (me again!), so like to have all our ducks in a row before we get there. I hate to leave anything to chance when it comes to feeding myself or my family. But if you're not there to eat your way through the world, by all means, take the more relaxed approach. I don't think it will make too much difference, unless the parks are at capacity.

Please give us a trip report, though, on how the more relaxed approach affected your dining when you return. I'd love to hear how you made out.

 

[joemo]

Will do UrsulasShadow.

Although it made me laugh when you described booking three restaurants 11 weeks before eating as the ‘relaxed approach’! I know exactly what you mean, as Disney turns me into a Planning Monster too, but I draw the line at booking 14 days of lunch and dinner this far in advance – just the special ones!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

The Disney Dining Plan has had a major impact on the numbers of people eating at sit-down restaurants. We were at WDW in June and saw many people turned away because they did not have reservations.
As you will be going during a busy period you might want to re-think your strategy. It's better to have reservations and change/cancel them later than not to be able to eat at your favorite restaurants due to the crowds.

 

[BCV23]

I think the fact that you are flexible and especially thar you prefer to dine after 8pm will help. Buit especially if you want to dine in the parks, I would make ARs early in the day at any rate.